Neil Young

As often sharing a drink with death can do, Neil Young - following having an aneurysm removed from his brain last year - is creating some of the most passionate songs of his career. First was the reflective Grammy-nominated Prairie Wind. Now, comes Living With War ó an album whipped up in a fury and as politically charged as they come. From the bleak artwork of black lettering on a sand-colored background to a scan of the song titles, the entire package makes clear that Neil is not happy; this furor over the current Bush administration and its imperialist ways comes out loud and clear with fiery electric guitar and impassioned lyrics that leave no doubt of Neil's position. Young is no stranger to mixing politics and music. From Kent State ("Ohio") in the 70s to his September 11 rally cry ("Let's Roll") in the 21st century, the musical chameleon and elder statesman of rock certainly doesn't back down when he feels a voice is needed. With Living With War, Young lets his lyrics loose like never before - sending well-constructed and fury-fuelled daggers at the so-called democracy that currently exists in the United States. Tackling consumerism ("The Restless Consumer") and conspicuous consumption, the environment (the lead-off "After the Garden") and freedom and its twisted definitions ("Flags of Freedom") Living with War is a tour de force that shows the 60-year-old shows no signs of letting down and his freak flag continues to blow as strong as ever, especially with titles such as: "Lookin' for a Leader" and "Let's Impeach the President." The disc concludes with a rendition of "America the Beautiful" with a 100-voice choir that leaves no doubt that even though Young is a Canadian by birth, and he critics the current policies and politics of his adopted America on this album, he still loves the good ole' U.S.A.